U.S. patent number 4,541,682 [Application Number 06/632,210] was granted by the patent office on 1985-09-17 for connector block with solderless, non-screwed and stripping-free terminals having a polytropic air gap for terminating communication cables and dropwire cables.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Krone GmbH. Invention is credited to Dieter Gerke, Manfred Muller, Wolfgang Radelow, Peter Zytowski.
United States Patent |
4,541,682 |
Gerke , et al. |
September 17, 1985 |
Connector block with solderless, non-screwed and stripping-free
terminals having a polytropic air gap for terminating communication
cables and dropwire cables
Abstract
The subject matter of the invention is a connector block (1)
with solderless, non-screwed and stripping-free terminal elements
(2, 3) having a polytropic air gap, for terminating dropwire cables
(6) and cable wires (7). The terminal elements (2, 3), which
comprise a terminal contact (2b, 3b) and a center contact (2a, 3a),
have a semi-circular extension (2a') on the underside (2') of the
center contact (2a, 3a), the spacing of said semi-circular
extension relative to an earth bar (4) mounted in the housing lower
half (12) being variable by tilting the earth bar (4) about
180.degree.; said earth bar (4) is adapted to be mounted at either
of two different levels. Thereby it is possible to select a
high-voltage spark-gap function.
Inventors: |
Gerke; Dieter (Berlin,
DE), Muller; Manfred (Berlin, DE),
Zytowski; Peter (Berlin, DE), Radelow; Wolfgang
(Berlin, DE) |
Assignee: |
Krone GmbH (Berlin,
DE)
|
Family
ID: |
6234324 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/632,210 |
Filed: |
July 18, 1984 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 25, 1984 [DE] |
|
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3415369 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/181; 439/404;
439/101; 439/491 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01T
4/06 (20130101); H01R 4/2429 (20130101); H04Q
1/142 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01T
4/00 (20060101); H01T 4/06 (20060101); H01R
4/24 (20060101); H04Q 1/02 (20060101); H04Q
1/14 (20060101); H01R 013/53 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/14R,14L,97,98,111,99R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Desmond; Eugene F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Weingarten, Schurgin, Gagnebin
& Hayes
Claims
We claim:
1. A connector block with solderless, non-screwed and
stripping-free terminals having a polytropic air gap for
terminating communication cables, comprising a housing upper half
and a housing lower half, characterized in that the connector block
(1) receives angular pairs of terminal elements (2, 3) respectively
rotated about 180.degree. in separate receptacles (13) of the
housing upper half (11) and the housing lower half (11) in
plugged-in relationship, that each of said terminal elements (2, 3)
in addition to a terminal contact (2b, 3b) includes a centre
contact (2a, 3a) with a semi-circular extension (2a') integrally
formed therewith on the underside (2') thereof, that centrally of
the longitudinal axis of the connector block (1) within the housing
lower half (11) a groove (12a) is formed including plural
receptacles (12b, 12c) formed with two different stepped shoulders
(12b', 12c'), that an earth bar (4) rotatable about 180.degree. is
adapted to be inserted into said groove (12a) at two different
levels, and that the earth bar (4) is formed with tabs (4a)
engaging in said receptacles (12b, 12c).
2. A connector block as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
the centre contact (2a) of one (2) of said terminal elements of
said pair and the terminal contact (3b) of the other (3) terminal
element of said pair have the same arm length (FIG. 5).
3. A connector block as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
the terminal contact (2b) of the one terminal element (2) of said
pair and the centre contact (3a) of the other terminal element (3)
have the same arm length (FIG. 5).
4. A connector block as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
on either side of the terminal contact (2b, 3b) centrally extending
pairs of clamping ribs (11a, 11b) are provided on the housing upper
half (11) of the connector block (1).
5. A connector block as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
limiting slots (11h) are provided on the receptacles (13).
6. A connector block as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a
protective channel (11i) is formed on one side surface (11f) of the
housing upper half (11) by an extension of an intermediate wall
(11e).
7. A connector block as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
on one end face of the connector block (1) the earth bar (4) is
angled to form an S and is provided with connecting means (5)
including an earthing screw (5a).
8. A connector block as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that
both ends of the earth bar (4) are integrally formed with lugs (4b)
projecting into the housing upper half (11).
9. A connector block as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
the housing upper half (11) is integrally formed with pins (11c)
having two different lengths, said pins bearing on the tabs (4a) of
the earth bar (4).
10. A connector block as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
a marking (11g) indicates the mounting position of the earth bar
(4) for a high-voltage spark-gap function.
11. A connector block as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
four detents (12d) respectively integrally formed on either side of
the housing lower half (12) engage in corresponding openings (11d)
formed in the housing upper half (11).
12. A connector block as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that
each of the receptacles (13) provided in the housing upper half
(11) and in the housing lower half (12) is respectively provided
with two diagonally opposite retaining slots (13a, 13b).
Description
The invention relates to a connector block with solderless,
non-screwed and stripping-free terminals having a polytropic air
gap (briefly LSA-PLUS terminals) for the termination of
communication cables, comprising a housing upper half and a housing
lower half.
The connector blocks are mounted in cable distribution heads or any
other built-in devices. Chiefly, they are employed where there is a
transition between dropwire cables and cable wires.
An LSA-PLUS terminal for terminating a cable wire and a dropwire
cable, i.e., for terminating two cables having different wire
sizes, has been known from the DE-PS No. 3,214,896.
Therein, the terminal comprises in the central portion of a contact
slot a second contact slot formed to the left and the right and
having U-shaped configuration. Above the U-shaped slot said slot
has a larger width for termination of a dropwire cable than beneath
said U-shaped slot, the narrower contact slot being intended for
termination of a cable wire.
This advantageous terminal, in which two cables having different
wire sizes may be simultaneously terminated, is also to be used in
the connector block according to the instant invention.
It is therefore the object of the instant invention to provide a
connector block with terminal elements which permits the
termination of several dropwire cables and cable wires by the use
of the known terminals. Moreover, provision is to be made for
installing, if desired, a high-voltage spark-gap and for plugging
on an arrester magazine or a test connector.
In accordance with the instant invention, the above-specified
object is solved in that the connector block receives angular pairs
of terminal elements respectively rotated about 180.degree. in
separate receptacles of the housing upper half and the housing
lower half in plugged-in relationship, that each of said terminal
elements in addition to a terminal contact includes a centre
contact with a semi-circular extension integrally formed therewith
on the underside thereof, that centrally of the longitudinal axis
of the connector block within the housing lower half a groove is
formed including plural receptacles formed with two different
stepped shoulders, that an earth bar rotatable about 180.degree. is
adapted to be inserted into said groove at two different levels,
and that the earth bar is formed with tabs engaging in said
receptacles.
Therefore provision is made for mounting in the housing lower half
of the connector block an earth bar which may take either of two
positions at different levels by being rotated or tilted about
180.degree.; thereby the spacing between the earth bar and a
semi-circular extension disposed on the centre contact member of
the terminal element is varied.
When a defined spacing is adjusted, a high-voltage spark-gap
function is provided which in case of overvoltages will ensure a
defined flash-over.
Advantageous further embodiments of individual measures of the
invention are characterized in the subclaims.
An embodiment of the invention will be explained in detail below
with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is the principal view of the connector block,
FIG. 2 is a side view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 is a side view of the connector block in a sectional view
with a non-plane section curve,
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the detail Z of FIG. 3 with the
housing upper half being removed,
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the earthing screw according to the
sectional line A-B in FIG. 3, and
FIG. 7 is the connector block with the arrester magazine and the
test connector plugged on.
Five pairs of wires may be terminated respectively on the
subscriber's side and the drop side of the connector block 1 shown
in the three views of FIGS. 1 to 3. Each terminal 2b, 3b is capable
of terminating two wires, viz., a thicker dropwire cable 6 and a
thinner cable wire 7, as is particularly shown in FIG. 4.
As is shown in FIG. 1 and especially in FIG. 4, clamping ribs 11a,
11b each extending centrally on either side of the terminal member
2b, 3b are provided for locking the dropwire cable 6 and the cable
wire 7 in their positions and for providing strain relief
therefor.
Limiting slots 11h for limiting the insertion depth of the dropwire
cables 6 relative to the cable wire region are formed on the
receptacles 13 of the housing upper half 11 and the housing lower
half 12 of the connector block 1.
The side faces 11f of the housing upper half 11 of the connector
block 1 are provided with protective channels 11i formed by an
extension of the intermediate wall 11e, said protective channels
11i being used to accommodate the cable wires 7, whereby it is
ensured that upon withdrawal of dropwires 6 the cable wires 7
cannot accidentally be removed as well.
Upon joining of the housing upper half 11 and the housing lower
half 12, the detents 12d provided on either of the longitudinal
sides of the housing lower half 12 engage in the corresponding
mating openings 11d provided on the housing upper half 11.
The separate receptacles 13 provided in the housing upper half 11
and the housing lower half 12 each include two diagonally opposed
retaining slots 13a, 13b. These retaining slots 13a, 13b are
intended to receive the LSA-PLUS terminals 2b and 3b,
respectively.
The terminal contact slots are correspondingly offset at an angle
of about 45.degree. to the dropwire cable 6 and the cable wire 7,
respectively.
As is shown in FIG. 4, the terminal element 2 and 3, respectively,
comprises a terminal contact 2b and 3b, respectively, and a centre
contact 2a and 3a, respectively.
As will be apparent from FIG. 5, the pairs of LSA-PLUS terminal
elements 2, 3 are of angular configuration. They are mounted in two
rows respectively rotated by 180.degree.. In order to ensure the
defined pitch, the terminal elements 2 and 3 have different arm
lengths, as indicated particularly in FIG. 5.
The arm length of the centre contact 2a of the terminal element 2
is equal to the arm length of the terminal contact 3b of the
terminal element 3. The arm length of the terminal contact 2b of
the terminal element 2 is equal to the arm length of the centre
contact 3a of the terminal element 3.
Each centre contact 2b and 3b, respectively, has a semicircular
extension 2a' formed integral therewith on the underside 2'
thereof, as shown in FIG. 4.
It is further apparent from FIG. 5 that centrally of the
longitudinal axis of the connector block 1 a groove 12a including a
plurality of receptacles 12b, 12c is provided in the housing lower
half 12.
As will be apparent from FIG. 4, said receptacles 12b, 12c are
formed with two different stepped shoulders 12b', 12c'. Said
stepped shoulders 12b', 12c' are required for adjusting a
high-voltage spark-gap; for as will be apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5,
an earth bar 4 is inserted into the groove 12a. Said earth bar 4 is
formed with plural tabs 4a adapted to engage in the receptacles
12b, 12c and thus resting on the stepped shoulders 12b', 12c'.
This means that the earth bar 4 may be provided at one of two
different levels in accordance with its mounting position.
Thereby the spacing between the earth bar 4 and the semicircular
extension 2a' provided on the centre contact 2a and 3a,
respectively, is determined.
FIG. 4 shows both mounting positions. The left part of the drawing
shows the earth bar 4 with a high-voltage spark-gap function. The
right part of the drawing shows the earth bar 4 in the normal
condition.
For fixing and maintaining the position of the earth bar 4, pins
11c having two different lengths are integrally formed with the
housing upper half 11, said pins bearing on the tabs 4a
irrespective of the mounting position of the earth bar 4.
As will be apparent from FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the ends of the earth
bar 4 are integrally formed with lugs 4b projecting into the
housing upper half 11, said lugs being intended for tapping an
insertable arrester magazine 8 (FIG. 7).
As will be apparent from FIG. 5, the earth bar 4 is angled to
S-shape towards the end faces of the connector block 1.
Here, a connecting means 5 consisting of an earthing screw 5a is
provided.
Depending on the mounting position of the earth bar 4, the
connecting means 5 shown in FIG. 6 is mounted either in a
receptacle 5b or a receptacle 5c, as shown in FIG. 3.
For an optical indication of the mounting position of the earth bar
4, a marking 11g is provided on the housing upper half 11 (FIG.
3).
The marking 11g indicates the existence of a high-voltage spark-gap
function.
FIG. 7 shows that an arrester magazine 8 or a test connector 9 may
be plugged into the centre contacts 2a, 3a centrally of the
connector block 1. The test connector 9 has the function of
connecting the subscriber's lines via cord circuits to testing and
measuring devices, changed-number interceptions and other exchange
equipment.
* * * * *